Zenful Yoga

Now more than ever in my life, I am SO grateful for yoga.

Chronic fatigue, chronic pain & illness have pulled me further away and out of my body than I have been since before I discovered yoga (over a decade ago). When the auto-pilot mode wants to switch on just to get through the day, it is impossible to be grounded, present, and aware of the bodies inner experiences.

But each week while I teach, and I am gently guided back in. I have space to breathe, to move that parts of my body that ache, to draw my awareness to the parts of my body that can feel relaxed and rest. I can tune into the energies of the space and beautiful energies that each of those who join me in class bring.

As unpleasant as it feels, my personal yoga practice reminds me that I need to allow myself to truly FEEL how exhausted my body is, how fragile the state of my nervous system, and to feel the parts that hurt in order to meet them with gentleness.

We may not always experience pleasant / comfortable emotions and sensations during our yoga practice. But I do trust that we always feel whatever is needed and meant to be felt 🙏🏻

Join me for the Spring Yin workshop exploring the Liver & Gallbladder Meridians.

In this immersion you will:
🌿 Explore some theory around these meridians and their associated element Wood
🌿 Be guided through a restorative yin yoga practice sequenced to these meridians
🌿 Be offered hands on-assists throughout the practice to support you to deepen into the poses and receive its benefits.

Emotions are energy. When we don’t allow ourselves (or when we aren’t given the opportunity to) feel and experience our emotions, then cannot be properly processed. They then become stuck and stagnant energy within our system. The Liver, responsible for the free flow of energy as blood is moved through the body, then experiences frustration, anger, and resentment as a result of this lack of growth and transformation (consider all of the growth nature experiences in Spring!).
Yin Yoga can give our body permission to pause and process what is otherwise held onto by allowing us to feel it, to then move stagnant energy on and through.

All are welcome to this immersion, no prior knowledge or yoga experience is assumed.

Details:
Saturday 14th September
at sangha.studio.wagga, 20 Tompson St Wagga
3:30-5:30pm
$45
To book: head to the studio’s website sanghastudiowagga.com

🌿🌿🌿

TERM 3 at Sangha Studio Wagga

🌻TUESDAY 7-8pm Moon Flow Yoga🌻
Moon Flow Yoga focuses on working with the energy of:
~ moon
~ feminine
~ yin
~ cooling
It is a fluid, soft & gentle practice with the intention of slowing your nervous system & mind down. You'll flow through some gentle movement before settling into restful yin & restorative poses, and feel prepared for a good sleep.

🌻FRIDAY 6-7pm Yin Yoga🌻
Yin Yoga focuses primarily on the connective tissues of the body:
~ fascia
~ tendons & ligaments
~ bones & joints
Through long-held poses on the floor, often 3-5 minutes, there is an emphasis of "letting go" gently in these tissues (rather than seeking to "stretch"). Calming, and a call to cultivate inner awareness, this meditative form of yoga calls you to be more present with self.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

🌻DETAILS🌻
• Location: Sangha Studio, 20 Tompson St Wagga Wagga
• Casual classes $25
• Class Passes can be purchased online through the studio website sanghastudiowagga.com
• Walk-ins are welcome, however to secure your mat (the space is limited to 13 mats) it is recommended to book online. (Please see the website for the cancellation policy).
• All are welcome. Whether you consider yourself beginner or advanced, you can touch your toes or not, you are welcome to come as you are. If you have any concerns or need help choosing which class to attend, please send me a message.

🌻 BOOK HERE 🌻
https://sanghastudiowagga.as.me/?appointmentType=category:Bre

The relationship between the emotion FEAR housed in the Kidneys, and the DEEP REST the Kidneys require:

The Kidneys are known as the “batteries” of the body. They hold our energy reserve to support other organs when they run low on their own energy / chi. Because of this, it is essential that the kidneys receive ALOT of deep rest in order to receive and restore this energy supply.

However, fear can arise as a barrier to us receiving true rest. We may fear the emotions and thoughts that come up for us when we let go of all the distractions. We can develop a strong attachment & sense of self around always keeping busy, being productive and helping others - who are we when we aren't doing those things? That can be a fearful thought to sit with.

We can let go of this fear by using affirmations to gently remind ourselves that not only do we deserve rest, but we also NEED it. Also, journaling about our fears can give us further clarity around their origins and how we can better soothe and support them. Because the bottom line is: we cannot pour from an empty cup.

✨THE KIDNEY & URINARY BLADDER MERIDIANS✨

KIDNEYS: Yin organ
BLADDER: Yang organ
SEASON: Winter
ELEMENT: Water
TISSUE: Bones
EMOTION: Fear

The Kidneys are known as the “batteries” of the body. They hold our energy reserve to support other organs when they run low on their own energy / chi. Because of this, it is essential that the kidneys receive ALOT of deep rest in order to receive and restore this energy supply. Due to their aptitude and essential need for this receiving, they are the most yin of all our organs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m feeling so grateful to have spent yesterday afternoon with such a wonderful group of women exploring the teachings of Traditional Chinese Medicine around the Kidney & Urinary Bladder Meridians. There was tea shared, laughter, and lots of deep breathing & restorative yoga.

I already can’t wait for the next workshop, which will be held in Spring! The focus will be the Liver & Gallbladder Meridians 🌲

❄️ THE KIDNEY MERIDIAN ❄️

The Kidney & Urinary Bladder Meridians are associated with the season of Winter, the element of water, and the emotion fear.

The five elements referred to in Traditional Chinese Medicine are each associated with a stage of the tree’s life cycle through the seasons. The Water element is represented by the start of this cycle - the seed beneath the earth, dormant and waiting to sprout in Spring. Energetically this space holds a great deal of trust in the unknown, not knowing when spring may come, being immersed in the darkness while waiting. Energetically, this is where the emotion Fear becomes connected with the Kidneys.

❄️ UPCOMING KIDNEY FOCUSED WORKSHOP:
Join me on Saturday 6th July from 3:30-5:30pm for the “Yin for the Seasons workshop: Winter”.
We’ll explore some theory around these meridians, learn acupressure points for personal use, and together practice a nourishing Yin Yoga sequence for the Kidneys.

Interested? Send me a message and I’ll give you the link to the event page, or visit sanghastudiowagga.com 🙏🏻

Join me for the Winter Yin Immersion focussing on the Kidney & Urinary Bladder meridians.

In this immersion you will:
❄️ Explore some theory around these meridians and their associated element Water
❄️ Be guided through a restorative yin yoga practice sequenced to these meridians
❄️ Be offered hands on-assists throughout the practice to support you to deepen into the poses and receive its benefits.

The five elements referred to in Traditional Chinese Medicine are each associated with a life cycle stage of a tree. The Water element is represented by the start of this cycle - the seed beneath the earth, dormant and waiting to sprout in Spring. Energetically the space holds a great deal of trust in the unknown, not knowing when spring may come, immersed in the darkness while waiting. Energetically, this is where the emotion connected with Kidneys is Fear.

The Kidneys are the perch upon which our Adrenals rest, which are responsible for producing the fight / flight hormone adrenaline (another connection to the emotion Fear). A healthy flow of Chi (life force energy) through the Kidneys supports the nervous system to be balanced and shift effectively between states of activation & restoration. This allows us to be present.

All are welcome to this immersion, no prior knowledge or yoga experience is assumed.

Finer details:
Saturday 6th July
3:30-5:30pm
$45
To book: head to the studio’s website sanghastudiowagga.com
studio.wagga

TERM 2 at Sangha Studio Wagga

🌻TUESDAY 7-8pm Moon Flow Yoga🌻
Moon Flow Yoga focuses on working with the energy of:
~ moon
~ feminine
~ yin
~ cooling
It is a fluid, soft & gentle practice with the intention of slowing your nervous system & mind down. You'll flow through some gentle movement before settling into restful yin & restorative poses, and feel prepared for a good sleep.

🌻FRIDAY 6-7pm Yin Yoga🌻
Yin Yoga focuses primarily on the connective tissues of the body:
~ fascia
~ tendons & ligaments
~ bones & joints
Through long-held poses on the floor, often 3-5 minutes, there is an emphasis of "letting go" gently in these tissues (rather than seeking to "stretch"). Calming, and a call to cultivate inner awareness, this meditative form of yoga calls you to be more present with self.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

🌻DETAILS🌻
• Location: Sangha Studio, 20 Tompson St Wagga Wagga
• Casual classes $25
• Class Passes can be purchased online through the studio website sanghastudiowagga.com
• Walk-ins are welcome, however to secure your mat (the space is limited to 13 mats) it is recommended to book online. (Please see the website for the cancellation policy).
• All are welcome. Whether you consider yourself beginner or advanced, you can touch your toes or not, you are welcome to come as you are. If you have any concerns or need help choosing which class to attend, please send me a message.

~ Trusting the process ~

When this photo was taken, I was 20 years old, studying Vet Technology, and working as a retail assistant.

If someone had told me that in 5 years time I would be fulfilling my dream teaching yoga, working part-time as a Mental Health worker, engaged to my best friend, a home owner, own my dream dog, AND my Veterinary degree would be sitting unused in a corner?

There’s absolutely no way I would have believed you.

There are so many good things ahead of you that you can’t even imagine right now. As our mood naturally starts to dip as the days begin to shorten and grow colder, keep close to your heart all of the good things to come, both foreseen and unforeseen.

🍂 THE LUNG MERIDIAN 🍂

Associated the season of Autumn, we are carrying navigating the Metal element and the Lung / Large Intestine meridians.

If you’re interesting in learning more about these meridians, head to Sangha Yoga Studio’s page and see “Events” for my upcoming “Yin for the Seasons: Autumn” immersion 🙏🏻

Repost by .ful.yoga

🍂 AUTUMN EQUINOX 🍂

Transitions:
~ Summer to Winter
~ Yang seasons to Yin seasons
~ Divine Masculine to Divine Feminine
~ From North to West on the Medicine Wheel

Autumn is Season of transitions, letting go of what doesn’t serve us anymore, and preparing to turn inwards.

Just as the leaves lose their colour and begin to fall from the trees, we too are invited to become aware of what needs to fall away. Holding on and wanting to stay in the Yang energy of Summer Leads to fatigue, burnout, and denying ourselves of much needed rest and reflection.

Things that may need to fall away can include:
~ Habits & routines (especially as the days begin to shorten)
~ Relationships
~ Self-beliefs
~ Attachments to past events, stories, and hurts

What new routines, practices, beliefs and relationships can you begin to strengthen to help you settle into the Yin seasons of Autumn & Winter?

Join Bre for the Autumn Yin Immersion focussing on the Lung & Large Intestine meridians.

In this immersion you will:
🍂 Explore some theory around the Lung & Large Intestines meridians and their associated element Metal
🍂 Be guided through a yin yoga practice sequenced to these meridians
🍂 Be offered hands on-assists throughout the practice to support you to deepen into the poses and receive its benefits.

The five elements referred to in Traditional Chinese Medicine (in which Yin Yoga is deeply rooted), are each associated with a life cycle stage of a tree. The Metal element is represented by the final stages of life before the onset of winter - the drying up, the falling away of leaves, and the letting go. Because of this, an emotion strongly linked to the Metal element is grief.

Grief can arise during any transition in life where we are required to “let go” of our leaves and prepare for a new cycle. Do we allow ourselves to feel and process grief? How do we honour and value ourselves during periods of transition? What can we allow to fall away to become a more authentic version of ourselves?

All are welcome to this immersion, no prior knowledge or yoga experience is assumed.

Finer details:
Saturday 20th April
3-5pm
$45studio.wagga

✨ GRATITUDE ✨

Let be real, “gratitude” is quite a buzz word in the wellness industry, and it’s used quite a lot.

But when I tell you that I am so deeply, genuinely grateful to be able to guide others in yoga, I truly mean it.

That feeling after guiding a group of people into a savasana and you feel everyone drop into deep rest is truly magical. I feel like I am truly myself when I teach, and I feel reminded after every single class just how lucky I am to have found yoga.

I am grateful for my body. It is still in recovery after months of being very unwell, but I’m forever thankful that I can still do all of the movement I currently can.

And so, when was the last time that you:
~ felt grateful towards your body?
~ felt grateful for all of the people in your life who support you? (In the big and the little things!)
~ felt grateful for the privilege of the funds to attend a yoga class, the time in your day that allows it, and the transport that gets you there?

Comment something that fills you with feelings of gratitude below 🙏🏻

• Workshops •

I had the best time facilitating the Yin Immersion ~ Late Summer last weekend, and I’m beyond grateful to all those who joined me 🙏🏻 It’s my intention to continue this Yin for the Seasons series throughout this year.

Please let me know in the comments below:
• If there’s any stand alone workshops you would be interested in,
• or any workshop series you could benefit from!
💛

AUTHENTICITY ~

Something I honestly struggle with on a daily basis is juggling my many “parts” -
• My work self, the mental health peer worker
• My yoga teacher self
• My yoga student self
• My self as a fiancé, friend, daughter, sister, granddaughter….

Sometimes I worry that I’m not being genuine when I can’t seamlessly transition between roles. I worry that if some people see my other parts they won’t like me anymore. And I worry that I’m the only one who struggles with this - but of course, I know this can’t be true.

We are multi-dimensional, eclectic, and busy beings, with a to-do list a mile long. I think being compassionate towards yourself with this in mind may be the first step into finding contentment with the many hats we have to wear in our daily lives (which is perfectly normal!)

Feel free to share your “parts” that make up who you are in the comments 💛 We’re all in this together 🙏🏻

Things you can do to start settling & tuning in to self while you wait for the yoga class to start:

• CHECK IN WITH YOUR BREATHING - place your hands on the sides of your ribs, and start to gently expand the breath into here.

• LIE DOWN, close your eyes / soften the gaze, and let your body begin to relax (it might be the first chance you’ve had to do so all day)

• Grab one of the MASSAGE BALLS available and start to roll your feet over one - lots of tensions can get built up in the feet, and it can help bring your focus (and energy) more downwards into the lower body.

• HAVE A CHAT WITH ME - any questions from your last practice? Any injuries you’re being mindful of? Any specific intention you’re hoping to work towards in this class? Call me over to your mat.

How we arrive on to our mat can start to set the tone for our practice, so do so mindfully 🙏🏻

Thank you so much for all those who shared their love and support this year 🙏🏻

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed!

To our dear Sangha Community,
Thank you for sharing space with us this year!
Thank you for all the laughs, hugs, tears, connection, support & love!

We honestly adore you all and this little space that calls us home time and time again.

We are so deeply grateful to the practise of yoga in all that it offers us.
How blessed we are in that it’s the very thing that brings us together as the inspiring force that which creates our community!

We can’t wait to share more precious moments with you all next year, as well as witness the ever evolving growth, expansion, healing & heart opening that occurs along the way.

We love having you all a part of this magic that we create together, as well as seeing your bright little faces sometimes weekly! Ahhh what a gift!

WE LOVE YOU
🤍

May this next year be fruitful, abundant, expansive & full of love & peace.

NAMASTE
🌞🌑🫶🤍

I am SO incredibly grateful.

I am so grateful for all of the students who show up, trust me told hold space for them, and guide them through the practice.

I am so grateful for the practice of yoga. It keeps bringing me back to my body, especially when it’s far easier to vacate it so as not to feel the discomfort and fatigue. Yoga continues to guide me back into presence and feeling, and I’m so grateful.

I am so grateful for .studio.wagga and for the wonderful women who make it what it is. I couldn’t ask for a more magical team of teachers who always have my back.

Thank you 🙏🏻

Hello friends 🌻

I hope to share a bit about my yoga journey, in hopes that it will provide a sense of the energy I hope to bring into my yoga teaching 🙏🏻

I attended my first yoga class at age 16, and for a few years yoga was a purely physical practice. It helped me maintain my flexibility and manage sciatica pain.

At 20, my world changed when I attended a Chakra workshop series by now Sangha studio owner Justine, and I began to realise the deep impact yoga could have on my mental health which I had been struggling with for years. I began to cry during a yoga flow, having a massive realisation of how unkind I had been to myself and my body throughout my teenage years, and how I needed that to change.

Connecting to my physical body, my breathing, and my emotional body has become a new way of being. Yoga continues to support my mental health recovery, and hold space to nourish self love.

As a yoga teacher, I am simply a guide and a container to hold space for you to have your own experience and healing journey on the mat. I believe in the power of autonomy, choice, strength in softness, and communicating safety to the nervous system.

I look forward to practicing with you at .studio.wagga 💛

One of my greatest lessons in yoga that brought me out of my head and into my body.

We are so well adjusted to getting caught up in the “story” of everything. We feel an intense need to understand the “why” and the “how”. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this innate curiosity - however, when a moment in our yoga practice stirs up emotion, engaging the thoughts in an attempt to rationalise the experience is a sure way to squash the emotion, or think our way through it rather than FEEL our way through it.

The body holds all of the emotions we never had the space to feel fully.

Next time you’re in your practice and an emotion arises, stay with the physical sensations. Be curious about THAT. “Ah, so sadness is living in my left hip… I feel a tightness here, what happens if I ease out, or deepen the pose further? What happens if I breathe more deeply?”

Go gently. Be curious. Breathe. You are safe to feel.

💙 THROAT “VISHUDDHA” CHAKRA 💙

The Throat Chakra is the fifth of the 7 Major Chakras. Located around the throat, shoulders, thyroid & jaw, it is our energetic center of truth, communication, & self-expression.

Why do we work with the Throat Chakra?
- For physical wellness in our immune system
- To work with emotions & beliefs around truth, individuality, connection with others, and communication between the head & heart
- To connect to the element of ether / space. We emerge from the foundations of the four base chakras (earth, water, fire & air) and emerge into limitless space, where anything is possible.

💙💙💙

Yoga for Self Love Workshop - April 1st, 2023

Last Saturday I held space for my first ever workshop. For 2hrs, 10 amazing women of all different ages and backgrounds came together to laugh, move & breathe, and rest alongside one another.

Self love is a term that seems to be everywhere these days. While we want everyone to embrace this concept, it's over-use I find can take away some of it's power.

It's time to reclaim the true meaning of what "self love" is. Self love is not just being able to love the shiny, sparkly, pretty parts of yourself that are easy to share with others. The parts of yourself you label as "kind", "funny", and "smart". You are all of those things, yes, but what about the parts that produce feelings of shame? Or guilt? Can you still love yourself when you're tired, irritable, short-tempered, and sick? That's where the practice of self love can really take on it's true meaning 💛

Thank you to the amazing women who joined me last Saturday. Deep gratitude to you all for your trust in me to hold this space, I couldn't have asked for a more magical group for my first workshop 🙏🏻